Macron says Europe must develop its own intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) like Russia’s Oreshnik or comparable long-range strike weapons. Macron says Russia’s recent Oreshnik strike on Lviv is a "clear signal" and a demonstration that Europe is within range. He stressed the need to accelerate efforts under the existing... European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA) initiative, which was launched in 2024 by France, Germany, Poland, and later joined the UK, Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands. Macron argues that developing these capabilities collectively will enhance Europe's credibility, strengthen nuclear deterrence and respond to the shifting balance from Russia's recent deployment of both nuclear weapons and Oreshniks in Belarus. Macron argues that while it’s necessary to pool resources for European long-range systems rivalling the Oreshnik, France is capable to providing key technologies for the project through the know-how it has acquired by fielding S2/S3 IRBMs until 1996 and developing its own submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) since the 1960s. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, bilateral U.S.-Soviet agreement that banned all ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500–5,500 km in Europe, was in place between 1987 and 2019. European NATO members (and the U.S. for its European deployments) adhered to this, avoiding new IRBM development or deployment. The treaty collapsed when the U.S. withdrew in 2019 in response to Russia not adhering to the treaty by developing IRBMs and cruise missiles with 1000 km such as 9M729. Macron has now made it clear that Europe’s mission to speed up its own IRBM and long-range cruise missiles must be sped up significantly. It remains to be seen whether Europe will heed his adviceshow more

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